Using Orphanage Spaces to Combat Envy and Stigma

Abstract

Some 12,000 children are living in nearly 300 orphanages in Cambodia today. While stigma is a problem for children in these centers, there is also a surprising amount of envy directed towards the children because of the opportunities and resources they receive. This report presents some of the strategies orphanages use to counter stigma and envy. Among these are site location, use of signage, attractive facilities, exclusive educational opportunities, access to internationalization, physical openness, new kinds of non-placed-based community, traditional architecture, intentional simplicity, and sharing of resources with the surrounding community.